I wake up the next morning and head out for a jog. I'm still thinking about the conversation with my brother last night. After my run, I gather up some berries I found and sit under the shade of the tree and watch everyone else going about their day.
I sense someone walking over.
"May I sit with you?" My dad asks.
I nod in his direction not really in the mood to talk.
"Before Ryker went on night patrol he told me you were in a safe place and to not worry about you. He also said you were pretty upset and may not come back till morning. How are you today?" I can see the concern in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice but still...
"I don't want to be like the other females. I want to stand on my own. Bossing people around and mating all day is so boring. Does it make me a bad person to want more for myself?" I look up at my dad with watery eyes. I want to cry but in front of dad I need to keep it together.
He's already looking down at me. He smiles lightly at me, bends over sideways, picks me up, and puts me on his lap. Even though he's all muscle it's still comforting being next to him.
"Are you upset with your brothers and myself? Do you think I'm not strong enough to protect you, my child?"
"It's not that dad."
"I look at mom and the other females and I really don't like what I see, so I want something different, something more." I give a heavy sigh after saying this.
"Other females are so useless I'm surprised they even know how to feed themselves." Lyria pokes fun at the females' uselessness.
"I don't know how to explain this but I feel that I'm supposed to do more and can't, it's so frustrating." While saying this, I clench my chest and lower my head back down. "I know I'm still a kid but I also feel like I don't have enough time." I look up to dad, "you told me to follow my instinct. That they will never lead me wrong so don't question them. Well Dad that's what I'm doing or at least trying to." I try my best to express my thoughts.
"AAAAWWWWWOOOOOOOOOO...!!"
Out of nowhere, we hear a howl. Dad gets up with me still in his arms and listens with his full attention.